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It may only be a crack, but Erik Karlsson has left the door open to the possibility of his return this season.

Five weeks after his Achilles Tendon was sliced by Matt Cooke’s skate in Pittsburgh, Karlsson told reporters during the first intermission of Monday’s game his recovery is “on schedule,” even though others remain amazed at how the Norris Trophy holder is currently getting around.

“It’s going well ... baby steps,” said Karlsson. “But I think overall, it’s been feeling pretty good ever since it happened, and I can feel this going forward.”

Asked when he might try skating again, Karlsson spoke of patience.

“Tough to say right now,” he said. “As of now, it’s going to be awhile. Anything can happen, anything can change, but right now we’re not aiming for a certain date or anything. We’re just trying to make it feel better and get everything back to normal.”

And when asked if there was a chance he could return in the playoffs, Karlsson wouldn’t say no.

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“Obviously the guys have been playing great, and obviously that helps my motivation,” he said. “It keeps me going forward and looking forward to going into the playoffs. And if that time comes, it’s going to be a decision (by them), but right now we don’t really aim for playing this year.”

Said a teammate earlier in the day: “I know he isn’t supposed to play until next season, but the guy is so young and he just never ceases to amaze you.”

Karlsson will be back in No. 65 before the summer. Just watch.

STARTS AND STOPS: Ben Bishop sees Craig Anderson getting closer to full health, and he expects that will only increase the number of trade rumours including his name. “It’s just one of those things where it’s out of your control,” said Bishop. “We’ve got a job to do, so you just pay attention to that. When Bryan (Murray) calls you on the phone, you know you’re going somewhere.” ... The media scrum around Daniel Alfredsson after the morning skate was as large as ever when his next stall neighbour looked up at the clock on the wall. It read 11:11. “You guys missed it,” said Kaspars Daugavins. “You should have started chanting ‘Alfie.’ ” ... Alfredsson usually notices when the fans do, although their collective attempt to time it with 11:11 left in each period isn’t as strong as it was last season. Does the “Alfie” chant inspire it him? “Sure it does,” he said. “I don’t hear it every time, but it does for sure. I can still do it. It’s obviously because they appreciate a play or something I do, but yeah, it gives you energy.” ... After taking a great pass from Jakob Silfverberg, Kyle Turris actually hit the same post twice with one shot when the rebound went back off the iron after hitting Martin Brodeur’s leg ...

BETWEEN PERIODS: Alfredsson entered the night with 16 goals in 60 career games ves. the Devils, most of which have seen Brodeur in the Jersey net. “I find at times you almost try too hard to score on him, and that works to his advantage,” Alfredsson said in the A.M. “I might not try to score tonight and see what happens.” ... Why would a guy who’s suddenly carrying a hot stick change his look? Eric Gryba, who scored the first goal of his NHL career Saturday, had his beard shaved off Sunday. Big Dude is not superstitious. “Nah, I don’t care (about those things),” said Gryba. “I went for a haircut and the guy said they do (hot towel, straight razor) shaves, too. I thought, well, I always wanted one of those. It was really cool.” ... Brodeur entered the night tied in goals, but two assists behind teammate Anton Volchenkov. Of course, the A-Train had also played 13 more games. “If he scores more than me, it’s no problem,” said Volchenkov. “It’s better for the team.”

THINGS I THINK I THUNK: Winger Buddy Robinson (Lake Superior State) was not inked to a three-year entry level by the Senators for his scoring abilities. He’s 6-foot-5, 236 lbs. It never hurts to have a big Buddy ... Dave Dziurzynski had a chuckle watching the SBP scoreboard last week as teammates were asked to spell his name, and failed. “I thought it was pretty comical,” said the Senators winger. “I learned when I was young, but I don’t expect everyone to know how to spell it. Now I know how to spell it ... after 10 years or whatever of learning it, I guess you know how to spell it. There’s a lot of tough names on the team, mine’s probably one of the toughest.” Silfverberg is tricky, with that sneaky ‘f’ in there. Dziurzynski was asked to take a swing at it. “Silferb... I have no idea.” ... Unfortunately, someone let Cameron the Dancer back in the building.

BUTT ENDS: Dissappointingly, the affable Brodeur chose not to go through the rigmarole of talking to the media after the morning skate. Left holding court was understudy Johan Hedberg, who thinks the league, in its effort to increase scoring, should mandate goalies wear less equipment. He sees ‘tenders looking 80 lbs. heavier than they are, and says all the gear is taking away from the athleticism required at the position. Hedberg also had something to say about Brodeur entering the day with 666 wins as a Devil. “He should retire now,” quipped Moose. “It’d be a perfect ending.” ...

It may only be a crack, but Erik Karlsson has left the door open to the possibility of his return this season.

Five weeks after his Achilles Tendon was sliced by Matt Cooke’s skate in Pittsburgh, Karlsson told reporters during the first intermission of Monday’s game his recovery is “on schedule,” even though others remain amazed at how the Norris Trophy holder is currently getting around.

“It’s going well ... baby steps,” said Karlsson. “But I think overall, it’s been feeling pretty good ever since it happened, and I can feel this going forward.”